RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Never has the need for mass participation in random acts of kindness been so critical, as the Earth and all who inhabit it, face the threats to survival posed by global warming. Earth-friendly random acts of kindness should be encouraged beyond Random Acts of Kindness Week and beyond Earth Day.

Chicago, IL February 12, 2007 — Never has the need for mass participation in random acts of kindness been so critical, as the Earth and all who inhabit it, face the threats to survival posed by global warming.

Although random acts of kindness was originally defined as any selfless, compassionate act that people perform to help strangers, the concept has evolved to include random acts people do to reduce pollution, conserve energy, preserve habitats, promote conservation, protect wildlife, reuse resources, and other environmentally positive activities.

Random acts of kindness that focus on preserving and maintaining environmental integrity can literally take just a few minutes to complete. Whether the random acts involve removing a plastic bag from a pond so the wildlife in the area won't become entangled in it, turning off a dripping faucet in a public restroom, reducing your junk mail by calling a catalog's customer service number to have your name removed from their mailing list, or choosing shade-grown coffee rather than sun grown brands, the cumulative effect of random acts of kindness can make a positive difference.

Now is the time to take part in random acts of kindness and to encourage such activities among family members, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and especially young people.

Do a random act of kindness for the environment every chance you get. You may be surprised at how many opportunities you have to make a difference during the course of a normal day. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

• When you see a leaky faucet in a public restroom, turn it off and conserve water. Report a persistent leak to the proper authorities.
• When taking a walk, pick up trash. If you find a recyclable item, such as an aluminum can, recycle it.
• When taking a hike, bring along a bag and pick up any trash you find along the way. Recycle anything that is recyclable.
• Make homemade cards by recycling used greeting cards and using other found materials to decorate them. Encourage your children to do the same.
• Close any open case doors you see in the refrigerated section of the grocery store.
• When you see people using canvas bags in a grocery store, thank them for caring and let them know you appreciate their efforts.
• When purchasing one or two items that are easy to carry, especially items already in a bag such as a bag of fruit or bag of cat food, do not take a plastic or paper bag from the clerk.
• Call or send a thank you note or card (recycled of course!) to any individual or company that has done or is doing something to help the environment.
• After you have finished reading a newspaper or magazine during your commute or while waiting for a plane or train, offer it to bystanders.
• Make small signs with tips on how to save energy and put them in appropriate places, like next to light switches at work or in the restrooms.
• Make small notepads from scrap paper and offer them to people. You could suggest they put one by their phone, on their desk at work or at school, keep one on their purse, or put one in the glove compartment.
• Periodically check the office, school, or church refrigerator and freezer to make sure they are at the proper temperature and that the seals are tight.
• Offer to help an elderly or disabled neighbor who may be physically unable to recycle.
• Donate your extra ceramic coffee mugs to your office, church group, or social group. Offer to bring reusable mugs to any small gathering at which refreshments are served. Always bring one for yourself (keep one in your car so you won't forget).
• Report polluters to the proper authorities. A company's vehicle may be spewing excessive smoke, for example, so a call to the company's local or state office may be appropriate. If you notice someone dumping illegally, note a license plate number if possible and report it to your city, county, or state environmental office.
• Practice Reduce/Reuse/Recycle by giving items away to people who are looking for them. Groups such as Craigslist, Freecycle, Freesharing, and Really Really Free Market offer opportunities for people to list and/or give away items they want or need. Periodically visit listings for your area and see if you have items that others want or need and give them away. 

Aesop said, "No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted." When it comes to helping preserve the environment, every random act of kindness helps.

Charity Guide is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting flexible volunteerism, by inspiring and facilitating acts of kindness. Charity Guide's website, CharityGuide.org, makes it possible for busy people to make a difference at anytime, from anywhere. Charity Guide's "volunteering on-demand" approach allows even people with unpredictable schedules to volunteer for their favorite cause, including: animal welfare, children's issues, community development, environmental protection, healthcare, and poverty. The volunteer projects at CharityGuide.org can be successfully completed: in 15 minutes, in a few hours (once, or each week), or during volunteer vacations.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Michael Organ
847-393-3370
Organ@CharityGuide.org